South Jersey assemblyman, a former reporter, to join GWB investigative committee

By MICHAEL PHILLIS

Statehouse Bureau |

The Record

A South Jersey lawmaker who had a career as a television news reporter will be the newest member of the joint committee investigating George Washington Bridge scandal, the speaker of the Assembly announced Friday.

Assemblyman Paul Moriarty, D-Gloucester, was appointed to join the committee by Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto. He will be the committee’s 12th member and one of eight Democrats.

Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-Mercer, resigned from the committee last month after making comments on MSNBC where she said Governor Christie should “think about resigning” for his administration’s actions in the bridge scandal. Republicans pounced on the comments and said that they indicated Watson Coleman had already made up her mind about Christie’s culpability without first reviewing all the evidence.

“Those who criticize me for speaking my mind should take a long hard look at their hypocrisy and lack of credibility,” Watson Coleman said in her statement about her resignation in February. She said there were double standards on the committee pointing out that another senator had been mentioned in key messages between officials already forced to resign but was allowed to keep his seat.

Prieto praised Moriarty’s qualifications.

“Assemblyman Moriarty’s background, experience, temperament, and desire for good and honest government makes him a great fit for this committee,” said Prieto.

The committee is still in the process of gathering documents. They have subpoenaed members of the Christie administration, campaign and Port Authority including two key figures that are fighting the measure in court.

South Jersey assemblyman, a former reporter, to join GWB investigative committee

By MICHAEL PHILLIS

Statehouse Bureau |

The Record

A South Jersey lawmaker who had a career as a television news reporter will be the newest member of the joint committee investigating George Washington Bridge scandal, the speaker of the Assembly announced Friday.

Assemblyman Paul Moriarty, D-Gloucester, was appointed to join the committee by Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto. He will be the committee’s 12th member and one of eight Democrats.

Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-Mercer, resigned from the committee last month after making comments on MSNBC where she said Governor Christie should “think about resigning” for his administration’s actions in the bridge scandal. Republicans pounced on the comments and said that they indicated Watson Coleman had already made up her mind about Christie’s culpability without first reviewing all the evidence.

“Those who criticize me for speaking my mind should take a long hard look at their hypocrisy and lack of credibility,” Watson Coleman said in her statement about her resignation in February. She said there were double standards on the committee pointing out that another senator had been mentioned in key messages between officials already forced to resign but was allowed to keep his seat.

Prieto praised Moriarty’s qualifications.

“Assemblyman Moriarty’s background, experience, temperament, and desire for good and honest government makes him a great fit for this committee,” said Prieto.

The committee is still in the process of gathering documents. They have subpoenaed members of the Christie administration, campaign and Port Authority including two key figures that are fighting the measure in court.